Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-01-21
FORENSIC hONORS.

Contest of the wittenberg OratoricaI As
sociation Last Night-The Award of
| Prizes.
! The second annual contest of the Orator
icaI Association Of Wittenberg college was
held Thursday night at the First Lutheran
church. There was a very large turnout
and the church was packed. The affair
was a perfect success, and showed much
| improvement over the contest last year
There were six contestants, there being on
! ly three at the last contest. There was also
marked improvement in thought aud de
livery.
At about S o'clock the Champion band
struck up march and the six contestants
took their places in order of speaking upon
the platform.
| Mr.. W. q. Smith was the first orator, his
subject being Immortality of Character" ="
His delivery was fair and the thoughts pre-
sented were still better. His Grafton was
the shortest of the evening. He and Mr..
Burtsfeld tied for third place.
! Next was Mr.. j. c. Bassett whose sub
| ject was The New South" The treatment
and composition of Mr.. Bassett's Grafton
were good, but his delivery was of an indf-
ferent order. Although not seemingly en-
barrassed. he was quite nervous, which
materially detracted from the Grafton. Mr..
Bassett was graded at the lowest average.
Next, the band struck up the lively tune
of Marching Through Georgia, and it APP
peared quite funny 10 see most everybody
trying 10 keep time, unconsciously, with the
music, especially Prof. Breckenridge. who
kept time perfectly with head and hands.
Following this came Mr.. S. 5. BurtSfeld.
Subject, The Negro in American Politics"
| Mr.. BurtsfieId's delivery was fair to good
thought and composition fair. As above
stated he tied with Mr.. Smith for third
place.
Next was Mr.. J. S. Simon. Subject.
| The African Problem in America Mr..
Simon's delivery was good. and the subject
matter of the production excellent lie
was awarded second place and will be the
alternate to the state association.
Music was next on the programme with
another popular air.
Mr.. W. w. Witmeyer of Ganges, o.. fol-
lowed on the subject The Com
ing of the Huns and Val
dals." Mr.. Witmeyer's delivery was fine
and he treated his subject with great deal
of force and thought. His composition
was also very fine. The judges awarded
Mr.. Witmeyer the prize and he will repre-
sent Wittenberg at the state contest TO be
held in Delaware in February.
Last on the programme was Mr.. J. G.
Lazarus. Subject Monopoly the Tyrant"
Mr.. LazarIIss composition was above the
average and he was graded second on
thought His delivery was not very good.
Mr.. Lazarus was ifth in the general aver
age.
There was some surprise when the judges
awarded Mr.. Witmeyer for the first place,
but there was general satisfaction through
out.
The band played two very fine pieces as
the closing exercises, which were well re-
ceived.
NOTES.
Ii Is understood good many Of the boys
will attend the state contest when il comes
off
The college boys turned out en- maSSe
last night, with their lady friends.
Mr.. Witmeyer received congratulations
all morning.
The people of Springfield seemed 10 be
taking quite an interest in Wittenberg from
the showing last night.